2013 NFL Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7 Round Mock Draft
By Leo Howell
Fresno State Bulldogs safety Phillip Thomas (16) intercepts a pass against the Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, I went over my thoughts for the first round of the NFL Draft, and had the Buccaneers selecting Jarvis Jones, linebacker from Georgia. He’s a hard working team-captain, and Mark Dominik is likely going to fall in love with this kid over the offseason. But I am sure most Buccaneer fans are curious as to what the next 7 picks are going to be. Allow me to share my updated Buccaneer mock draft, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Round 1: Jarvis Jones, Linebacker, Georgia
Jones does have health concerns, but he’s been playing well despite his neck injury. His future in the NFL may be limited, as his spinal condition has been known to shorten careers. But if he’s healthy, he’s a great talent and a great young man who fits in with the “Buccaneer Way.”
Round 2: Jordan Poyer, Cornerback, Oregon State
Poyer doesn’t have a spotless criminal past, but he’s a team captain and a ballhawk. He creates turnovers and doesn’t mind mixing it up with receivers. He’ll fit right in left alone on an island outside, and has done his work against high-octane Pac-12 offenses.
Round 3: Phillip Thomas, Free Safety, Fresno State
Thomas is a safety who’s big enough, strong enough, and smart enough to make all the plays in the NFL. He’s low on draft boards because he doesn’t have the measurables. But the senior was a team captain, and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Thomas could help give the Buccaneers a dynamic duo at the safety position for years to come.
Stanford Cardinal running back Stepfan Taylor. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4: Ryan Swope, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
Swope was a favorite target of both Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Football. He’s big and strong, but doesn’t feature get-away speed. The 2012 team captain (sensing a trend?) will do what he has to do to be a successful NFL slot receiver, and will give the Buccaneers an affordable option in the slot.
Round 4: Stepfan Taylor, Running Back, Stanford
Taylor was super productive during his years at Stanford, and can do everything a running back needs to do. Doug Martin needs some backup, and Taylor provides the perfect option to do just that. Oh, and he’s a team captain.
Round 5: David Bass, Defensive End, Missouri Western State
Bass racked up a ton of tackles for loss and sacks, and is described as a great leader on and off the field. He didn’t play against the highest levels of competition at a Division II school, but he’s NFL sized and absolutely dominated at the level he played at. Couldn’t find any team captain information, but he seems to be a hard worker.
Round 6: Terry Hawthorne, Cornerback, Illinois
We’re running out of captains, but we’re not out of talent. Hawthorne is a playmaker who would add depth to the defensive backfield.
Round 7: Steve Beauharnais, Linebacker, Rutgers
This late in the draft, it’s time to go with what you know. Coach Schiano knows his former Rutgers linebacker, and brings him in to work hard and make the team to add depth.
Undrafted Free Agent: Seth Doege, Quarterback, Texas Tech
Doege has good arm strength and accuracy, but he has the stigma of being a TTU quarterback. He’s a pinpoint passer who can put on a show in practice and put some pressure on Josh Freeman for a cheap price tag.